Schwenkbraten

A barbecue specialty hailing from Saarland, schwenkbraten consists of marinated pork steaks that are grilled on a schwenker, a unique grill which is suspended from a tripod and swung over an open wood fire by a schwenkmeister (the person doing the grilling).

The pork steaks used in the dish are typically neck cuts, but other pork cuts will also do. They are usually left to soak in the marinating mixture overnight or up to 3 days. Typical ingredients used in the marinade include dried thyme, dried oregano, onions, salt, black pepper, garlic, juniper berries, oil, and (optionally) German Riesling wine.

With a crispy crust on the outside and succulent and tender meat on the inside, these grilled pork steaks are typically paired with a glass of fine German Riesling or beer, along with various side dishes such as potato salads, fresh salads, roasted vegetables, and bread rolls.